Free Forgive & Forget (Love in the Fleet) by Heather Ashby Page A

her face in his hands.
    “No, Hallie, you call the shots. I don’t want to push you into anything you don’t want to do. I’m just…I don’t know… I’ve been out of my mind this past week around you. I haven’t been able to function, just thinking about you. And it’s not just, you know, kissing you. It’s you, Hallie.” He put his finger under her chin and tipped her face to his.
    “I’m in a state of shock that I’ve met a woman who is smart and fun and cares about the world and doing the right things and…” He took the bottle from her. “And sunscreen.”
    Warmth spread through Hallie’s chest, a flutter in her heart.
    “You’re genuine, Hallie. And I want to be with you all the time.” He kissed her gently on the lips, just once. “And although my mind wants to treat you like the gentleman you deserve, I can’t seem to get my body to behave. So no, I won’t put sunscreen on your back. You’ll have to put on a shirt.”
    Hallie burst out laughing and reached out to hug him, but he raised his hand to stop her. “And I’ll put a shirt on too, because there is no way you’re going to put me through what you did last Sunday with that lotion. I thought I was going to die. So come on, sailor.” He hoisted the mainsail. “Anchors aweigh.”
    They sailed up Turtle Creek, an estuary of the St. Johns, enjoying the lush jungle on both sides, altering course for a manatee mother and baby. Surprisingly, there weren’t many boats on the creek so they had this paradise all to themselves. Hallie parked herself and handled the jib while Philip worked the mainsail and the tiller. Neither felt the need to talk.
    But no matter how beautiful the day and how natural she felt in Philip’s presence, Hallie could not enjoy it. A clock ticked away inside her. A bomb that would eventually go off and destroy this delicious slice of heaven she had found.
    Hallie McCabe had seriously fallen for Philip Johnston. She’d spent the past ten years fighting off guys with a stick; and somehow this thoughtful guy had slipped under her radar and stolen her heart. She’d liked him well enough until last night, but when he took her home without one word of argument, it was all over but the shouting.
    As she worked the jib, Hallie thought about how angry he would be when she told him the truth later that night. No, worse. He’d be disappointed in her. She strongly doubted he’d bend any rules and agree to an illicit relationship off base. And definitely not, once they deployed. She’d have to agree with him there. That would be way too dangerous for both of them.
    She’d even try reminding him that life was uncertain, nobody knew what tomorrow would bring, grab for the gusto, and all that crap. But she knew he wouldn’t fall for it. Because he lived and breathed integrity. And that’s what she liked about him. Maybe he’d come into her life simply to show her there were men out there like this. Men she could depend on. Feel safe with. Trust.
    He’d blown her away with that little chat about the sunscreen. Most guys would have welcomed the sunscreen action today and picked up where they left off last night. If she’d thought taking her home last night was the ultimate in gentlemanly behavior, his refusal to put lotion on her back this afternoon was the cherry on top. No way was she going to let him walk away. Not quite yet.
    Suddenly Hallie knew it was time to act. What good was having a set of balls in her seabag if she didn’t take them out and use them once in a while? Looking around to ensure there weren’t any other boats in sight, she knew it was time to go on a treasure hunt.
    And she knew exactly where to find the map.

      
    Philip felt her sneak up behind him as he trimmed the sail. She put her arms around him and hugged his back.
    “Hallie,” he cautioned.
    She kissed his neck. “Thank you for a wonderful day. And thank you for being you.” He turned around to protest her hug, but didn’t get the